I got a great suprise today when returning to duty as I was introduced to a group of men and one lady who were paying a visit to Loughan House.The lead guy was Pat Mc Dermott who had two fellow ex students from St Augustine's with him I think Robbie and Robert (The Playwrites of the Loughan Christmas Pantomines as they informed me).Its a small world as I introduced myself as John Greene (nephew of Bud Greene) and now currently the longest serving member of the Irish Prison Service at Loughan House (almost 26 years).So at this stage there is not much of Bro Paddys grass that I dont know.As being the only Greene now remaining in Blacklion (aprt from one Aunt Johnny the Butchers wife) I have a great affection to the place which was formerly St Augustines and remember coming there as a young lad to Christmas Pantomines and later Youth Clubs in the later days of the college.I have memories of some of the White Fathers of the time and I know my late Aunt was a great part of the community there and held in high regard by all who went through its doors.As I am now in my final year of service if there is anything I can contribute to this website (that Pat and friends informed me off) then I would only be too delighted.One guy that I would appreciate a contact for if anyone would have it is Maurice Cunnigham who from my last memory went Stateside.Hopefully I can meet some more of the ex St Augustine's lads in the not too distant future.I am sure Bud would want me to keep up the contact with most of you.I may not be able to provide as much Apple Tart as when she was around.
Yours for now with Best Wishes from Loughan House.
John Greene Blacklion and Sligo currently serving in Loughan House as a Prison Officer.
Dear John - it was nice to meet you last Monday (10-Sep-2018)
at Loughan House. There are a few places at this website where
your auntie 'Bud' is remembered, especially 'Blacklion Revisited'
by John Byrne. Also many pics show Maurice Cunningham.
See mention of both in GALLERY page 207. Best wishes, Robbie Dempsey.
John and Robbie,
Having just read your posts I was taken back to my time at the Black. The last visit I made was in 1993 with my wife Kay and son Liam. We were admitted readily and shown around by a guard named Mick. We visited my room 1959-60, overlooking the Lough and the head-butting rams in the field. It was a shock to enter the room unannounced and find the THREE occupants. The chapel was a revelation as that part of the building was just the furnace and the mud room when I departed in 1961. I must talk to Liam and ask him if the memory of the razor wire fence and the miasma of body odour helped to keep him on the straight and narrow through his late teens and early twenties - the danger years for males!
With Robbie referring to John's "auntie" - Bud, I remembered her and realized that Bud was just that to so many Pelicans. She was our young aunt or in some circumstances big sister - the one you were excited to see when she visited. Her catering was was a change from the normal fare at the college, delicious as it was. What fun it was to turn into Bud's after a day out in the hills and know a cup of tea was to hand together with a warm welcome.
We visited with Bud after the jail and had a cuppa and talked over the old times. May she rest in peace.
That was a pleasant reminiscence. Have you got any more, Pelicans?
Robbie.Have made contact with Maurice Cunnigham through Facebook in the U.S. and have had a reply from him amazing the power of the internet and hopefully I can meet in the not too distant future.Slan for now John G.
Mike.Great to hear from you and even more so those stories of Aunty Bud etc keep her in our memories.Take Care and hopefully we can meet at some stage.John G.
